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TODD KRIKKE
Todd is your typical hard-working, successful and energetic racer. He's among the strongest and most determined riders in the sport. He works two full-time jobs, racing and masonry. To say the least, he's tough!

What are your thoughts on oval racing and the future of the sport?
Krikke's answer: We need a lot more young people to get involved. It is a lot of work, and it seems like these days not a lot of people are willing to do that. The WSA has done a good job in getting a "starting class" going for beginners with a good chassis. The problem is that if it's hard, kids just don't want to do it.

Why did you start racing?
I started racing back in 1984 ... We had sleds ever since I can remember, and my brother and cousin did sprint racing in the '70s and that's what hooked me. My first race was a local sprint race, but there wasn't any circuit in Michigan at the time and I didn't have the support to travel, so when MIRA started with its "mini-enduros" I did those.

Why did you choose oval?
The MIRA racing circuit was located close by in Michigan and the racing was the same style as NASCAR.

Are you a big NASCAR fan?
Yep, I followed Dale Earnhart until his death and now I follow Junior.

How would you compare oval sled racing to NASCAR?
The difference is that NASCAR tracks stay the same throughout the race. Our tracks start smooth and get rougher as the race goes on. Our sport is very physically demanding, and if you're not in shape it's obvious because your lap times get progressively slower. We also are at a higher risk for injury as we aren't protected at all when we crash. The elements and weather make it tougher too.

What gives you an adrenaline rush?
I really like enduro. It tends to get a bad rap because the name makes it sound like it's just a bunch of big ol' sleds riding around, but it's a 300-mile race pounding as hard as you can. It's basically a 300-lap sprint race, but you use different strategies to make up time, whereas if you fall behind in a 10-mile sprint race, you can't catch up.

What are your thoughts on snocross?
They definitely have some very talented riders, but for me it is like watching paint dry. Almost anyone can go out and buy a snocross sled now and race without a whole lot of knowledge, but you can't just buy an oval sled from the manufacturer and make it work. You have to put in serious time and effort and that makes it tougher than snocross.

Ever been seriously injured?
No, I think I have been a little lucky, in better shape and I drive within my ability and the sled's ability.

What was your last season like?
Pierce Racing and I had a great season. We won 12 Pro Stock Sprint finals and 2 Pro Stock Enduros, and took home 2 MIRA season championships.

What do you do to train?
Lifting bricks all day at work. I work for my brother's masonry company all year. Even during race season I have to go back to work on Monday after a tough weekend of racing.

Who are your sponsors?
Currently I'm a factory-supported Yamaha rider, with Camoplast and Fox Racing Shox support. This is my 3rd year with Yamaha, but I started on a Mercury Sno Twister and spent numerous seasons with Polaris.

Who was your biggest influence?
Mike Houle and Dale Earnhardt. I admired Mike for the fact that he built his own equipment and how smooth he rode ... he was kind of a wizard on a sled, and understood clutching, engines, etc. Earnhardt just had a huge competitive drive and simply hated losing. If I wasn't competitive like I am now, I don't think I would do it anymore as it would bother me too much.

What have been your most memorable wins, awards or moments?
Winning the 1991 Soo I-500. I also won the Soo in '96 and '97 with Troy Pierce. I've won 5 MIRA championships, three years in a row with Troy Dewalt ... worst finish ever was 3rd.

What are your goals this season?
Win the Soo I-500, plus every Pro Stock final I enter.

What are your future plans/dreams?
I want to stay involved in racing by helping upcoming young racers, but I have done so much for so many years both working and racing ... it just takes a lot of hours. I mean, 17 years of racing full-time and working full-time is a lot! I have to give up hunting, fishing, family and a lot more.

What's the funniest thing ever to happen to you around sleds?
I fell off the back of the sled at the start of my first-ever sprint race ... we were practicing and I stood all the way on the back of the sled and the thing came over on me! Also on a 300-lap enduro race that I led almost the entire way, I fell off on the last lap and ended up taking second.